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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Through her exemplary public service, Eleanor |
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Tinsley has made a positive difference in the lives of countless |
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Houston residents, and on February 1, 2007, the League of Women |
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Voters Education Fund is honoring her accomplishments at its sixth |
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annual Repast with a Pair of Political Pioneers; and |
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WHEREAS, Mrs. Tinsley became active in Houston civic affairs |
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after moving to the city in the early 1950s; especially concerned |
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with issues affecting youth, she served as a member of the school |
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board from 1969 to 1973, during which time her efforts to help |
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schools peacefully integrate set an example for districts |
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throughout the state; moreover, she assisted in the development of |
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a magnet school program that served as a national model and led to |
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the creation of the High School for Performing and Visual Arts and |
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the High School for Health Professions; and |
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WHEREAS, This esteemed woman went on to serve for a time as |
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president of the Texas Council of Child Welfare Boards, in which |
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capacity she successfully advocated for state foster care funding |
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from the legislature; in 1979, she became the first woman elected as |
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member at-large of the Houston City Council, a position she held for |
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more than 15 years; her tenure was characterized by her concern for |
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the people of Houston, and among the ordinances she initiated were |
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those that established the 9-1-1 emergency system, the fluoridation |
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of city water, and the regulation of smoking and billboards; in |
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addition, Mrs. Tinsley founded the SPARK School Park Program, an |
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initiative that forged cooperation between the city, the Houston |
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Parks Board, and the school district to develop 132 public school |
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grounds into neighborhood parks, thereby increasing public park |
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space; and |
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WHEREAS, In recognition of her many good works, Mrs. Tinsley |
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has been inducted into the Texas Women's Hall of Fame, and both a |
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park and an elementary school have been named in her honor; and |
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WHEREAS, Eleanor Tinsley has served the Bayou City and the |
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Lone Star State with dedication and integrity, and it is indeed a |
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pleasure to join in honoring her at this time; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 80th Texas |
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Legislature hereby commend Eleanor Tinsley for her many years of |
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public service and extend to her sincere best wishes for continued |
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success and happiness; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Mrs. Tinsley as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |